Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 KINGS 21:17KJV
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2 Kings 21:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 21:17 mean?

2 Kings 21:17 says that the rest of King Manasseh’s actions, including all he did and the sins he committed, are recorded in another historical source called the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. This verse points readers elsewhere for more details about Manasseh’s reign and wrongdoing.

The verse is part of a summary at the end of Manasseh’s story, written by the author of 2 Kings for the people of Judah. It signals that the account here is not exhaustive and that more information can be found in another official record. This was a common way ancient writers let readers know where to look for further details about a king’s life and reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 21:17

  • "rest" (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means "what remains" or "the remainder." It highlights that the story told here is only a part of Manasseh’s full history.
  • "acts" (דָּבָר, davar): Often translated as "acts" or "deeds," this word can also mean "matters" or "things." It refers to everything significant Manasseh did, not just his sins.
  • "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah) and "sinned" (חָטָא, chata): The first is the noun for "sin," while the second is the verb "to sin." The verse singles out Manasseh’s wrongdoing as especially noteworthy among his actions.
  • "written" (כָּתַב, kathav): This verb means "to write." It stresses that these records were officially documented, not just passed down by word of mouth.
  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This means a written scroll or book, pointing to a physical record.
  • "chronicles" (דָּבָר, davar; יָמִים, yamim): Here, "chronicles" is a phrase meaning "the matters of the days," which is a way of saying "the official records" or "annals" of the kings.

Why 2 Kings 21:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the biblical account is selective and that more information about Manasseh’s reign exists outside the Bible, in historical records of the time.
  • The emphasis on both Manasseh’s actions and his sins shows that his wrongdoing was a defining part of his legacy, not just a side note.
  • By mentioning an external source, the verse connects the biblical narrative to other historical traditions and shows that the kings’ deeds were carefully recorded and remembered.

Where else these words appear

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

“Manasseh” Hebrew H4519 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Joshua 17:5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;
  • 1 Chronicles 5:18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.